Paint touch up kit

ABSTRACT

The kit includes: a bottle having an aperture and a thread; a cap having a thread for engaging the bottle thread; an elongate structure having an end adapted for receiving and delivering paint, the structure, when in use and when the cap thread is engaged to the bottle thread, being fixedly secured to the cap interiorly of the bottle and extending from the cap to the applicator end; and a mixing element. When the cap thread is engaged to the bottle thread and the structure is fixedly secured to the cap and disposed interiorly of the bottle, the aperture is sealed by one or more of the structure and the cap. The mixing element is sized for disposition in the bottle and has a density such that, when the aperture is sealed and the bottle contains paint, a shaking motion applied to the bottle results in mixture of the paint.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The invention relates to the field of paint touch up kits.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Paint touch-up kits are known. However, known kits suffer from relatively high cost and/or relatively low utility.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

Forming one aspect of the invention is a kit comprising a plastic bottle, a plastic cap, an elongate structure and a mixing element. The bottle has an aperture and a portion having a thread. The cap has a thread shaped and dimensioned to engage the thread of the bottle. The elongate structure has an applicator end which is adapted for receiving and delivering paint in the manner of a brush and. When the structure is in use and the thread of the cap is operatively engaged to the thread of the bottle, the structure is fixedly secured to the cap interiorly of the bottle and extends from the cap to the applicator end. At least when the thread of the cap is operatively engaged to the thread of the bottle and the structure is fixedly secured to the cap and disposed interiorly of the bottle, the aperture is sealed by one or more of the structure and the cap. The mixing element is sized for disposition in the bottle and has a density such that, when the aperture is sealed and the bottle contains paint, a shaking motion applied to the bottle results in mixture of the paint.

According to another aspect of the invention, the kit can comprise a plastic funnel.

According to another aspect of the invention, the funnel can be shaped and dimensioned for the delivery of paint into the bottle through the aperture.

According to another aspect of the invention, the terminus of the funnel can be shaped and dimensioned for disposition in the aperture and in plug-fit relation by the threaded portion of the bottle.

According to another aspect of the invention, the kit can comprise a plastic ladle.

According to another aspect of the invention, the threaded portion of the bottle can be an exteriorly-threaded neck; and the cap can be threaded interiorly.

According to another aspect of the invention, the applicator end can be a paint brush.

According to another aspect of the invention, the aperture can be sealed when the thread of the cap is operatively engaged to the thread of the bottle.

According to another aspect of the invention, the structure can be adapted for snap-fit engagement with the cap.

According to another aspect of the invention, the cap can have a bore in which the thread of the cap is defined, the base of the bore having an annular lip defining a throughpassage smaller in girth than the girth of threaded part of the bore; and the structure can have a flared base and extend from the flared base to the applicator end, the base being resiliently deformable to a sprung position, whereat the base has a girth sufficiently small to breach the throughpassage, from an unsprung position, whereat the base has a girth larger than the throughpassage, thereby to provide for said snap-fit engagement of the structure and the cap.

According to another aspect of the invention, the bottle can be transparent or translucent.

Other features and advantages of the present invention will become evident upon review of the following detailed description and the appended drawings, the latter being briefly described hereinafter.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a perspective view showing the components of a kit according to an exemplary embodiment of the invention;

FIG. 2A is an enlarged view of the structure of encircled area 2A of FIG. 1;

FIG. 2B is a top view of the structure of FIG. 2A;

FIG. 2C is a view along 2C-2C of FIG. 2B;

FIG. 2D is a view along section 2D-2D of FIG. 2C;

FIG. 2E is a side view of the structure of FIG. 2A;

FIG. 3A is an enlarged view of the structure of encircled area 3A of FIG. 1;

FIG. 3B is a bottom view of the structure of FIG. 3A;

FIG. 3C is a top view of the structure of FIG. 3A;

FIG. 3D is a front view of the structure of FIG. 3A;

FIG. 3E is a side view of the structure of FIG. 3A;

FIG. 4A is an enlarged view of the structure of encircled area 4A of FIG. 1;

FIG. 4B is a perspective view of the structure of FIG. 4A, from another vantage point;

FIG. 4C is a top view of the structure of FIG. 4A;

FIG. 4D is a view along 4D-4D of FIG. 4C;

FIG. 5A is an enlarged view of the structure of encircled area 5A of FIG. 1;

FIG. 5B is a side view of the structure of FIG. 5A;

FIG. 5C is a top view of the structure of FIG. 5A;

FIG. 6A is an enlarged view of the structure of encircled area 6A of FIG. 1;

FIG. 6B is a side view of the structure of FIG. 6A;

FIG. 6C is a top view of the structure of FIG. 6A;

FIG. 6D is a view along 6D-6D of FIG. 6C;

FIG. 7A is a view similar to FIG. 3A of a structure according to an alternative embodiment of the invention; and

FIG. 7B is a view of the structure of FIG. 7A from a different vantage point.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE EXEMPLARY EMBODIMENT

The exemplary embodiment 20 shown in FIG. 1-6 will be seen to include a bottle 22, a cap 24, a funnel 26, a ladle 28, a structure 30 and a pair of mixing elements 32.

The bottle 22 is a translucent plastic bottle having an aperture 34 and a portion 36 having a thread 38, namely, an exteriorly-threaded neck, which defines the aperture 34. A fill line 40 is also provided on the bottle.

The cap 24 is plastic, is threaded interiorly and has a bore 42 in which the thread 44 is defined. The base 46 of the bore has an annular lip 48 defining a throughpassage 50 smaller in girth than the girth of threaded part of the bore. Raised ridges 52 are provided on the exterior of the cap, to facilitate manipulation by hand.

The funnel 26 is plastic and has a mouth 54 and a terminus 56. The terminus is provided with exterior ribs 57.

The ladle 28 is plastic and has a manually grippable handle 58 at a first end thereof and a bowl 60 at a second end thereof.

The structure 30 is elongate, has a flared base 62 and extends from the flared base 62 to an applicator end 64, namely, namely, a brush which is adapted for receiving and delivering paint.

The pair of mixing elements 32 is defined by a pair of stainless steel balls of about 10 mm in diameter.

In terms of the functionality of the components, the following should be understood:

-   -   the thread 44 is shaped and dimensioned to engage the thread 38         of bottle 22     -   the funnel 26 is shaped and dimensioned for the delivery of         paint into bottle 22 through the aperture 34, specifically, the         terminus 56 of the funnel 26 is shaped and dimensioned for         disposition in the aperture 34 and in plug-fit relation by the         threaded portion 36 of the bottle; the ribs 57 provide an air         passage exterior to the terminus 56 but interiorly of the bottle         22, thereby to avoid vapor lock if liquid such as paint is         poured through the funnel 26 into the bottle 22 operatively         position beneath     -   the base 62 of the elongate structure 30 is resiliently         deformable to a sprung position, whereat the base 62 has a girth         sufficiently small to breach the throughpassage 50, from an         unsprung position, whereat the base 62 has a girth larger than         the throughpassage 50, thereby to provide for snap-fit         engagement of the structure 30 and the cap 24     -   the structure 30, when in said snap-fit engagement with the cap         24 and when the thread 44 of the cap 24 is operatively engaged         to the thread 38 of the bottle 22, is fixedly secured to the cap         24 interiorly of the bottle 22     -   when the structure 30 is fixedly secured to the cap 24 and         disposed interiorly of the bottle 22, the aperture 34 is sealed         by one or more of the structure 30 and the cap 24     -   the mixing elements 32 are sized for disposition in the bottle         22 and have a density such that, when the aperture is sealed and         the bottle 22 contains paint, a shaking motion applied to the         bottle 22 results in mixture of the paint     -   the fill line 40 is positioned on the bottle 22 such that the         volume available in the bottle 22 accommodates the volume of the         structure 30 that lies below the fill line 40 in use; thus, the         bottle 22, when filled to the line 40, does not overflow upon         insertion of the paint applicator structure 30     -   the ladle 28 is slightly smaller than the funnel 26, to         facilitate delivery of liquid from the ladle into the funnel         without spillage

The above described components are packaged for sale as a kit, in paint supply stores and the like. For economy in terms of packaging, the cap, elongate structure, mixing elements and bottle will typically be assembled with the elongate structure in said snap-fit relation to the cap, the cap in threaded engagement with the bottle and the mixing elements in the bottle.

It is advantageous to use the kit immediately upon opening a can of stirred paint to create a reserve supply of paint for touch up work. To do so, the user will

-   -   Unscrew the cap with brush from bottle     -   place the funnel in bottle with mixing balls inside     -   Use the ladle to scoop and pour paint into bottle     -   Screw the cap with brush tightly upon the bottle     -   Store for future touch ups

Thereafter, to use the reserve paint (typically at a much later date, to fix patches in walls or the like) the user will:

-   -   Shake the bottle well to mix paint     -   Unscrew the cap     -   use the brush to touch up areas as desired     -   Replace cap and brush and screw on bottle     -   Store for future use

Without intending to be bound by theory, it is believed that the kit provides a convenient mechanism for the creation of supplies of touch up paint that minimizes preparatory and clean-up work that is conventional in the prior art, namely:

Preparatory Work

-   -   i. find the paint can     -   ii. find a paint brush     -   iii. find a tool to open can     -   iv. use tool to open can     -   v. find a stir stick to mix paint     -   vi. place a drop cloth to protect area beneath can during         stirring     -   vii. stir paint

Clean Up

-   -   viii. find mallet     -   ix. close paint lid without splattering with mallet     -   x. wash paint brush for future use     -   xi. find a place for the stir stick to dry     -   xii. put away drop cloth, can, brush and stick

Persons of ordinary skill will appreciate that, through use of the kit, many of the conventional steps above can be combined or eliminated altogether.

The use of plastic as the dominant structure in the kit allows for the inexpensive production thereof, thereby to render the kit suitable for use as a disposable product and an easy “up sell” for paint suppliers.

Again, without intending to be bound, an advantageous example of the kit for retail purposes includes two complete bottle assemblies (bottle, cap, structure, mixing elements), a funnel and a ladle.

It will be evident to persons of ordinary skill that variations are possible.

One such variation is shown in FIG. 7A and FIG. 7B. Herein, an alternative embodiment of the structure 30 of FIG. 3A is shown and designated with general reference numeral 30A. This structure 30A again is elongate, has a flared base 62A and extends from the flared base 62A to an applicator end 64A, namely, namely, a brush which is adapted for receiving and delivering paint; herein, the cross-section of the central portion is an elliptical tube, which permits paint to be scraped off in use relatively easily and thereby assists in the avoidance of paint waste.

Further variations could include:

-   -   the bottle could be transparent     -   the mixing elements could be non-metal     -   the applicator end could be a foam tip or roller

Accordingly, the invention should be understood as limited only by the accompanying claims, purposively construed. 

1. A kit comprising: a plastic bottle having an aperture and a portion having a thread; a plastic cap having a thread shaped and dimensioned to engage the thread of the bottle; an elongate structure having an applicator end which is adapted for receiving and delivering paint in the manner of a brush, the structure, when in use and when the thread of the cap is operatively engaged to the thread of the bottle, being fixedly secured to the cap interiorly of the bottle and extending from the cap to the applicator end; and a mixing element, wherein, at least when the thread of the cap is operatively engaged to the thread of the bottle and the structure is fixedly secured to the cap and disposed interiorly of the bottle, the aperture is sealed by one or more of the structure and the cap; and the mixing element is sized for disposition in the bottle and has a density such that, when the aperture is sealed and the bottle contains paint, a shaking motion applied to the bottle results in mixture of the paint.
 2. A kit according to claim 1, further comprising a plastic funnel.
 3. A kit according to claim 2, wherein the funnel is shaped and dimensioned for the delivery of paint into the bottle through the aperture.
 4. A kit according to claim 3, wherein the terminus of the funnel is shaped and dimensioned for disposition in the aperture and in plug-fit relation by the threaded portion of the bottle.
 5. A kit according to claim 1, further comprising a plastic ladle.
 6. A kit according to claim 1, wherein: the threaded portion of the bottle is an exteriorly-threaded neck; and the cap is threaded interiorly.
 7. A kit according to claim 1, wherein the applicator end is a paint brush.
 8. A kit according to claim 1, wherein, when the thread of the cap is operatively engaged to the thread of the bottle, the aperture is sealed.
 9. A kit according to claim 1, wherein the structure is adapted for snap-fit engagement with the cap.
 10. A kit according to claim 9, wherein the cap has a bore in which the thread of the cap is defined, the base of the bore having an annular lip defining a throughpassage smaller in girth than the girth of threaded part of the bore; and the structure has a flared base and extends from the flared base to the applicator end, the base being resiliently deformable to a sprung position, whereat the base has a girth sufficiently small to breach the throughpassage, from an unsprung position, whereat the base has a girth larger than the throughpassage, thereby to provide for said snap-fit engagement of the structure and the cap.
 11. A kit according to claim 1, wherein the bottle is transparent or translucent. 